Violin chin-rest.



A. R. SOLES.

VIOLIN CHIN REST.

APPUCATION m50 ocr.

Patented May 8, 1917.

Illu."

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

.ARTHUR It. BOILES, 0F INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

VIOLIN CHIN-REST.

Application led October 11, 1916.

To all whom t 11mg/ concern Be it known that I, ARTHUR R. Bours, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tndianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Violin Chin- Rests, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to violin chin rests and has as its object to provide a chin rest which may be readily and quickly applied to and removed from the body of a violin and which after application may be adjusted so as to position the chin plate at a greater or less distance above the violin body as the musician may find desirable. Tncidentally, the invention aims to so mount the chin plate that the same may be vertically adjusted with relation to the body of the violin without the necessity of loosening and tightening set screws, nuts, or other similar elements, and likewise without the necessity of employing tools of any sort.

Another aim of the invention is to provide in connection with the fixed jaw of the clamping device for attaching the chin rest, a novel form of pad which will serve to prevent the said jaw marringl the finish of the violin body and will also serve as a cushion when the instrument is placed against the shoulder, thereby eliminating any likelihood of any discomfiture being caused the musician and also insuring against slipping of the linstrument.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the chin rest embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical 'longitudinal sectional view therethrough;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the lower clamping jaw; Y

Fig. 4l: is a perspective view of the supporting posts for the chin plate;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional viewtaken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

The lower or fixed clamping jaw of the device comprises a jaw plate 1 which is preferably slightly arcuate in form so as to conform in a general way to the curvature of the body of the instrument to which the rest is to be applied and at its outer edge Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 8, 191 "4.

Serial No. 125,081.

explained. The said jaw plate 1 is further provided at each end of its said edge with an upstanding stem 3, the upper portion of which is threaded, as indicated by the numeral t. The other clamping jaw of the device comprises a jaw plate, indicated by the numeral 5 and this jaw plate is provided at one edge and at or adjacent each end with a threaded stem 6, the said stems extending downwardly with their ends opposing the ends of the stems 3 when the jaws are assembled. The jaw plate 5 is previded at its said edge with a downwardly extending shank 7 and this shank is provided at each vertical edge with a rearwardly extending VHange 3, the edge portions of which flanges are turned inwardly, as at 9, so as to form a ,guide for the longitudinal edges of the shank 2 of the fixed jaw, it being understood that the Shanks of the said jaws are in this manner slidably connected. Sleeve nuts 10 are threaded onto the opposing ends of the stems 3 and 6 of the two jaws and it will be understood that by rotating these stems the jaw 5 will be adjusted toward or away from the jaw 1 and, consequently, when the device has been disposed in proper position against the body of a violin the sleeve nuts 10 may be rotated for the purpose of moving the aw 5 downwardly into clamping engagement with the upper side of the said body, the jaw plate 1 engaging the underside of the said body.

The chin plate is indicated by the numeral l1 and may be of any ordinary or special form as desired and this plate is supaorted by a post, indicated by the numeral 12, which post has its upper end turned forwardly substantially at right angles as at 13, and secured by means of a screw 14 to the underside of the chin plate 11 at the iear edge thereof. The post 12 is preferably reinforced by a rib formed therein and extending longitudinally thereof, this rib being indicated by the numeral l5. As stated, the shank 2 of the relatively fixed jaw is bowed or curved from end to end and when the shank is slidably fitted into the channeled shank 7 of the adjustable jaw the tendency will be for the said shank 2 to bulge rearwardly toward the inturned edges 9 of the flanges 8. The post 12 is assembled with the clamping device comprising the said jaws and their Shanks, by slidably fitting the post into the channeled shank 7 rearwardly of the shank 2, the vertical edge portions of the post l2 slidably fitting behind the edge portions 9 of the flanges S in the manner clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings and the post being held with its said edges frictionally engaging the said edge portions of the flanges b y reason of the resiliency of the shank 2 and the fact that the said shank is bowed so as to bear rearwardly against the forwardly presented side of the post l2. It will now be understood that after the clamping device has been assembled with the violin body and the sleeve nuts l0 have been adjusted to clamp the said device to the body, the chin plate mf be adjusted vertically either in an upward or downward direction without disturbing the said clamping device. In order that the post l2 may be supported at vari us elevations one of the edge portions 9 is formed with a series of rack teeth, indicated by the numeral lf and a pawl l? is pivoted, as at 1S, upon the rear side of the post 12 near the lower end thereof and has a tooth, indicated by the numeral l5) which tooth is designed to cooperate with the teeth 16 in the manner clearly shown in Fig. l of the drawings for the purpose stated.

As before stated, there is provided in connection with the chin rest, a pad or cushion which is applied to the lower or fixed jaw of the clamping device and the said cushion, which is indicated by the numeral 20, may be formed in any suitable manner and is provided with a filling 2l of any suitable cushioning material. In its upper side the cushion 2O is formed with a pocket which is indicated by the numeral`22 and which pocket is designed to receive the jaw plate l in the manner clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Referring te this figure and to Fig. l it will be observed that the upper side of the cushion 20 covers the upper surface of the jaw plate l and that, consequently, when the clamping` device has been secured in place the jaw plate will not mar the finish of the instrument. It will, furthermore, be understood that the cushion 2O serves not only the function of a cushion but also as a covering for the jaw plate 1.

From the foregoing description of the invention it will be seen that there is provided a violin chin rest which may be readily and quickly applied to and removed from a violin body and which is so constructed that the chin plate may be raised or lowered without in any way disturbing the clamping device and without the necessity of employing tools of any kind or tightening or loosening the set screws or set nuts. It will further be apparent that the chin rest proper, or more specifically the chin plate, together with its supporting post, may be bodily removed from the clamping device and that, therefore, the clamping device may remain upon the instrument after being once applied, it being a simple mattei' to insert the post 12 into the channeled shank 7 and properly adjust the same when the instrument is to be played.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. In a violin chin rest, attaching means embodying clamping jaw members, one of said members being provided with a channeled guide and the other member having a resilient bowed shank slidahly fitting within the guide, means for relatively adjusting the members, a chin'plate, and a supporting post for the plate slidably fitting the said channeled guide, the said bowed shank bearing frictionally against the said post.

2. In a violin chin rest, attaching means embodying clamping jaw members, means for relatively adjusting the members, one of said members having a channeled guide, the side walls of the channel having inwardly extending flanges and the edge of one flange being formed with rack teeth, the other member having a bowed shank fitting within the channeled guide with its bowed side presented toward the said flanges, a chin plate, a supporting post for the plate slidably fitted within the channeled guide between the inner sides of the said flanges and the said bowed shank and frictionally engaged by the said shank, `and a pawl upon the shank coacting with the said rack teeth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ARTHUR R. BOLIS. [Ls] Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

